Thursday, February 26, 2009

Spring is coming...well, in my studio at least.

I'm trying to beat the winter blues by creating some new Spring-y cards and stationery. Because they're usually the first of the Spring bulbs to bloom, I started with the Crocus. I love these little flowers as they add a punch of color to the dull and dreary winter landscape. They always give me hope that Spring is truly on it's way. Available here.


psst. More bulb flowers to come!

Monday, February 23, 2009

The Cookbook Project: Recipe 5

Book: Kyra's Secrets of Russian Cooking (1961)
Author: Kyra Petrovskaya
Recipe: Spicy Chicken Casserole (Tchakhokhbili)
Page: 98/99

Came from: My grandmother's cookbook collection.

Why this recipe: According to Kyra, this was a favorite dish of "the late" Josef Stalin and technically the dish was ripped off from the Georgians. I liked the story behind it.

Main ingredients: Chicken, onions, tomatoes, stock, lemon and dill.


Process: Brown the chicken in a dutch oven, add all ingredients except lemon and dill, and slow cook for about an hour. Quite simple.

Outcome: A very good and hearty meal for a cold and snowy Sunday evening (which it was!). The chicken was super tender and the simple, basic ingredients made for a very fresh and flavorful dish. I loved the lemon and dill added at the end. The funny part is that the only "spice" to the dish was "salt and pepper, according to taste." There was nothing spicy about this dish! I guess the Russians have a very low threshold for heat;)


Make again? Yeah, I would, but would add some actual spice!

Join the Cookbook Project Flickr group.

Psst: Since I don't list the actual recipe, feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you'd like me to email it to you.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Unravelling eCourse.

This week I began the 8 week e-Course, Unravelling: Ways of Seeing Myself by Susannah Conway. I'm joined by 115 other people from around the world and we all hope to reconnect with ourselves while examining where we've been and where we're headed. We're encouraged to comment on the group's photos thus connecting with each other. So far, it's been quite enjoyable and already a bit revealing. As is obvious from the photo, the first assignment was photographing feet.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Blog Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to lilacpop for winning a six pack of Daisycakes Soap's lip balms. I really appreciate everyone who came by and participated. It was so much fun, that I just might have to do another one! Also, thanks to all of those who visited Daisycakes' blog!

Monday, February 16, 2009

The Cookbook Project: Recipe 4

Book: Best Recipes of Alaska's Fishing Lodges
Author: Adela Batin
Recipe: Red Glacier Grits
Page: 273

Came from: The Anchorage Museum Shop on a trip to Alaska in 2001.

Why this recipe: I wanted to do a Sunday brunch dish and I love me some grits!

Main ingredients: Grits, sausage, green chilies, eggs, cheese, salsa (how can you go wrong with these ingredients!)

Process: Couldn't be easier...cook the grits, mix all ingredients together, throw in a casserole dish and bake! And make sure to add plenty of cheese to the top, 'cause there's not enough mixed in...ha..mmm...


Outcome: When it first came out of the oven, it was kinda runny and somewhat non-appetizing. But, it did thicken as it cooled and was then easier to dish out. It was very, very tasty albeit rich. It was definitely a hearty Alaskan breakfast!

Make again? I would, but probably won't.

Join the Cookbook Project Flickr group.

Psst: Since I don't list the actual recipe, feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you'd like me to email it to you.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

West Virginia Morning.

The mister and I ventured out last night for some fun. We headed to WV for an evening of wining, dining and playing a few slot machines (and maybe a bit of roulette). It was a nice getaway and helped combat the winter drearies. (Who couldn't use a night of revelry every now and then!)

This morning as we were heading home, we couldn't help but stop and shoot a few photos. The fog coming off the pond (lake?) was mesmerizing. It looks really cold, but in fact it was in the 50's. There was still ice on the pond though. I love the contrast of the bare, dark trees against the bluish-white of the ice and fog. We could have taken pictures all morning.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Giveaway - Daisycakes Soap Etsy Shop!

I've been a fan of Jean-Marie, aka Daisycakes Soap, ever since I discovered Etsy. Her products are simply fantastic and are lovingly made with the highest quality ingredients. She's been an Etsy Featured Seller as well as an Etsy Success Story. If you aren't familar with her products, here's your chance to try them for free!

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p.s. Go check out Daisycakes' blog for a chance to win an item from my shop!

Monday, February 09, 2009

Old Christmas Cards.

What do you do with your old holiday cards? Or any other cards for that matter? I hate throwing them out, especially the ones with pictures, but really, why do I need to keep them? I do enjoy going back and looking through them, but is that reason enough to hold on to them? I feel so bogged down lately with stuff. And this surely isn't helping. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Friday, February 06, 2009

Friday.


I've been in a funk all week. It probably has something to do with winter, it happens every year. I've just felt off. Disorganized. Unmotivated. I finally have some time to get things done and yet I can't seem to step up to the plate.

I'm hoping that this weekend's house improvement project straightens me out. We are redoing a guest room. I'm thinking of a light robin's egg blue. We have no blue in the house, so I think it will be perfect. GSD (getting sh*t done) especially around the house always makes me happy.

It's also supposed to get into the 50's this weekend, so there's that.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Cheers!

Thursday, February 05, 2009

The Cookbook Project: Recipe 3


Book: Bruce Aidells' Complete Sausage Book
Author: Bruce Aidells + Denis Kelly
Recipe: Tortilla, Vegetable and Chorizo Soup
Page: 170

Came from: A gift to my husband because he loves sausage. (Mind you, he does not cook, but he is a mean BBQ'er)

Why this recipe: I enlisted the aid of Mr. Pink Bathtub and he chose it, he knows we both love a good tortilla soup.

Ingredients: The usual plus garbanzo beans, fire-roasted Anaheim and red peppers, corn and lime juice. (I decided to nix the zucchini that it called for). It also called for frying up some tortilla strips, I opted to bake them and they were fantastic!

Techniques: Just chopping, roasting, sautéing, boiling, etc...

Process: Fairly simple (see above) although somewhat time intensive. But once all the ingredients were added, it didn't take long to cook. That's probably why it tasted so darn fresh, it wasn't overcooked or boiled for 100 hours.

Outcome: Ridiculous! Seriously some of the best tortilla soup I've ever had...and I've had my share. All the basic ingredients together gave it a wonderful flavor. The only herbs/spices added were 1 tsp of oregano and 1 tsp of cumin. Usually, I'm more about the toppings on tortilla soup, but with this recipe, you'll actually like the soup better!

Make again? For sure. I got 6 meals out of it...two dinners and four lunches. In fact, I'm craving it right now!


Join the Cookbook Project Flickr group.

Psst: Since I don't list the actual recipe, feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you'd like me to email it to you. It's that good.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

New Print!


My fancy, shmancy new archival printer has been unloved these past couple months, so I finally decided to make use of it!

Brand new, "Peapod Stirfry" is an open edition print of my hand printed original. The paper size is 5x7 and the image is about 4x4. I think it is quite fun and whimsical and would be perfect framed and hung in a kitchen or casual dining area.

It is listed here.